ZardoZi by Debasmita Dasgupta is a gentle, deceptively simple book. In just a few words, accompanied by powerful pictures, it tells a rich story--one that, as the subtitle says, is stitched with love.ZardoZi begins with a dream. Zi feels like he has found a treasure, but he doesn't know what it is. When he talks about his dream, though, it seems as if everyone already has something figured out for him, the interpretation of the dream included. As the story moves on, we see that having things figured out irrespective of what Zi wants seems to be the norm. Even words like Let him be what he wants to be are little more than lip service.Subtly, gently, the story shows us how expectations are foisted upon children. Zi feels like he is losing his voice, his identity. Everyone has ideas of what he ought to do. How will he make himself heard?I love the gentle exploration of … [Read more...]
A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade
A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade is an endearing story, one that I read for the first time as a manuscript that was shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2023, when I served as chief judge. I was curious to read it again, curious to see how the story had grown and developed through its editing journey. And I was not disappointed.Lalli and Champa come from completely different backgrounds. Yet, they're drawn to each other because they are both lonely and need a friend.As Lalli spends more time with Champa, Lalli's parents are nervous. Champa is the daughter of the coffee estate owner, while Lalli is a worker's child. Would a bond between them last?A poignantly told story, the Kannada rhymes woven into A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade give it a unique flavour, adding texture and detail. The emotional dynamics between Lalli and Champa ring true on every page. I … [Read more...]
Trouble in the Tea Gardens
When I started reading Trouble in the Tea Gardens by Mitali Perkins, I was struck by how similar several elements were to Tiger Boy. An intelligent small-town child capable of winning a scholarship to get a better education, a teacher with the child’s best interests at heart, a power-hungry, avaricious person in authority … I wondered if I was going to enjoy another story that followed the same lines. But soon enough, I realised that the similarities end there. The mystery in Trouble in the Tea Gardens is gripping, and I love how everything ties up as the story goes on. A pacy read, I was soon thoroughly invested in the characters, eager to know how the story would play out.Set in Darjeeling, Trouble in the Tea Gardens is a slim book weaves together a range of serious themes with subtlety and nuance. The protagonist Sona is the daughter of a Nepali tea plantation worker. … [Read more...]
Prabir’s New Flute
I love Asha Nehemiah's stories, and I love Rajiv Eipe's artwork. How could I not read a Hook Book created by the two of them?Prabir's New Flute is a lovely, gentle story about a gifted boy, whose music is part of every happy event in Munshipara. When his flute breaks, however, Prabir realises that only half the gift is within him. The other half is in the magic of his flute. And so begins his quest for the perfect flute, one that will help him create the best kind of music.What I loved most about this slim little book is the whimsical element of magic. It feels almost real, and wholly believable, even if it is--at least for the time being--out of our reach. Each flute Prabir fashions creates music that is similar to the surroundings in which the bamboo grew. As a child, I would particularly have loved the possibility of it being true! As an adult, I couldn't help thinking … [Read more...]
The Impossible Pet
The Impossible Pet by Jane De Suza is such a fun book! I laughed out loud more than once as the hapless Tarun tries one thing after another to get a pet of his own--whether his parents like it or not.Just like when I read Puppy Trouble, what drew me first into the story is the universality of its theme. What child doesn't want a pet? In Tarun's case, there's more. He and his best friend Joey are same-same in every way--height, age, class, everything. But when Joey gets a pet and refuses to share, how can Tarun be same-same again?So Tarun tries acquiring one pet after another--a lizard, a cow, a pigeon--anything will do! I love how the humour of the story blends with the more serious elements that come towards the end of the book. Without being preachy, The Impossible Pet leaves us feeling that there's a sense of justice in the world!TitleThe Impossible … [Read more...]
Sea ice? Now you don’t!
I've been a fan of Green Humour aka Rohan Chakravarty for so long that I've been wanting to read Sea ice? Now you don't! ever since it was published. It was as delightful as I expected! I found myself reading page after page, alternating between laughter and despair even as I admired the depth and breadth of research that has gone into the creation of each comic.As Rosemary Mosco says in the foreword, what I love about Rohan's work is the way it connects the natural world with the humans who are part of it. His comics are fearless and hard-hitting in their commentary on politicians, influencers and businesspeople alike. While some comics are about species we all know, like a series of comics on tigers, many are about birds and beasts about which I know nothing, from the mistle thrush to the mangrove whistler. Clever punchlines and eye-catching art come together to make us think, … [Read more...]
My Year in Writing – 2025
2025 was a spectacular year as a writer! The highlight was, of course, winning the Crossword Book Award 2025. Everyone knows how slow the publishing industry is, so it was also such a joy to have three books published this year, by three different publishers! The Crossword Book Award ceremony was a grand, celebratory affair, and the fact that Denise Antao and I won the award for the best children's fiction was a dream come true. Jury members Deepak Dalal, Deepa Agarwal and Anita Roy had the kindest things to say about our book The Wall Friends Club. 'Wall Friends Club' stands out for its entirely unexpected and imaginative storyline and structure. It is a story of friendship, a most unusual one, that originates from pieces of paper stuck in the nooks and crannies of a wall. Although the protagonists have never met each other, the author, in a … [Read more...]
My Year in Workshops – 2025
Teacher training programmes often take me all over the country, but this time, author interactions did that for me! My teacher training was restricted to Pune, Goa and Nagpur, which gave me the time to do a lot of other things (including write!).Online workshops continue to have my heart. I love the fact that I can conduct them from anywhere, whether I'm travelling or at home. This academic year, I discontinued my writers' club at St. Mary's School for precisely this reason---in-person sessions don't allow for the flexibility my other work demands. I did create the next issue of THE WRITE PLACE for my young students, but subsequent issues are on hold, at least for the time being.At my book clubs, we read 42 books in 2025. I had enough registrations to go ahead with each batch I planned! I invited six wonderful guests to conduct sessions for my writing programmes, all of which were … [Read more...]
My Year in Dance – 2025
In so many ways, 2025 was a year of performances. And yet, it was also a year that forced me to slow down and acknowledge that Bharatanatyam is like any sport that takes its toll on your body. There's a reason sportspeople retire in their late 30s! As I look back at our performances this year, I wonder what the years ahead have in store for me. Yet, no matter what, I realise how grateful I am to the community we have, our dance family that has been together for so many years.The year of performances began with one that I've written about already---at Marigold Balaji Temple in Kalyani Nagar, Pune.Two months later, we staged a much bigger performance, and what a joy it was to work on it! I continued to take on smaller roles as a dancer because my knee hadn't (and still hasn't) healed entirely, but this performance was special in all kinds of ways.The most significant, for me, was playing … [Read more...]
Top 3 Young Adult Books -2025
I can't remember how many young adult books I read in 2025, but there were just three books that stood out to me. The White Lotus I've recommended The White Lotus to more readers than I can count! A powerful work of historical fiction, what makes it stand out is the way in which the feisty protagonist Arali stands out without seeming oddly anachronistic. She develops slowly and believable, with circumstances shaping ehr character. Although I don't read mystery much, everything about the story drew me in--the sensitive storytelling, the believable characters, and the compelling plot. Book review With the Fire on High Elizabeth Acevedo's storytelling is stunning. I love how she tackles difficult subjects head-on, layering courage with love as she touches upon a range of themes. With the Fire on High is about a … [Read more...]